Is it possible to have a positive pregnancy test right after getting an abortion?

By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | Dec. 2, 2021, 4:11 p.m.

Someone asked us: I got a surgical abortion last Saturday it's been 7 days and I took a pregnancy test and it came out positive?

It’s not possible to be pregnant a week after having an in-clinic abortion. However, it’s possible to have a false positive pregnancy test. A false positive pregnancy test is when your pregnancy test says you’re pregnant when you really aren’t. A false positive can happen up to two weeks after having an in-clinic or medication abortion. This is because your hormone levels are still reflecting your previous pregnancy, and it takes a little time for them to go back to normal.

It’s important to know that you can get pregnant right after your abortion. Talk with your nurse or doctor, like the staff at your local Planned Parenthood, about your birth control options — they can help you find a method that’s right for you. You can start using birth control immediately after having an abortion.

Tags: Abortion, pregnancy test